Psych Basics

SSRIs
Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (or SSRIs) are a class of antidepressants prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders. They work by increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter serotonin. First developed in the 1970s, allegedly with fewer side effects than their predecessors, they continue to generate controversy. Like most antidepressants, the SSRIs are most effective when used in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy and other talk therapy. 



Depression and Its Treatment

How Many People Are Treated for Depression?

Treatment for depression has increased modestly over the last ten years.

Antidepressants and Negative Outcomes?

The research on antidepressants and poor long-term outcomes.

Prozac and Brain Function

Prozac makes the brain more flexible, and not only in depression.

Treating Hearts and Minds

Antidepressants for both heart disease and depression.

Which Drug for Whom?

There's no one recipe for determining the best drug for a patient.

Thank God - We're All Happy Now!

Pretty soon we'll all be on antidepressants - Hallelujah!

House & Psychology, Episode 22

Is it true that "half the country" is on antidepressants?

See Also

Combination Therapy

St. John’s Wort: Good for the Mind and Heart

Can drug-herb interactions can actually be a good thing? Absolutely.

How To Think About Medication

Taking medication for depression means defying cultural conditioning.

Are Antidepressants Just a Crutch?

Helping to prevent further injury while healing.

Treating Anxious Kids—Part I

In children, how harmful is anxiety? How good are the treatments?

Same Trauma, Different Day

Helping trauma patients over the hurdle.

See Also

Pediatric Use Cautioned

Mary's Childhood Depression

Outcome of an alternative treatment paradigm.

The Deadwood Effect

Shouldn't kids be warned about their pills' sexual side effects?

Treating Anxious Kids—Part II: How Much Zoloft?

Zoloft works for anxiety in children — but at what dose, and what price?

Antidepressants and Suicide: WHO Scientists Weigh In

Antidepressants and suicide: What we don't know harms children.

Adverse Effects

Fat Pharms: Prescription for Weight Gain

Weight gain is the dreaded side effect of some psychotropics.

Sex, Love, and SSRIs

Can Prozac keep you from falling—and staying—in love?

Deconstructing Antidepressants

An alternative to antidepressants.

No Exit: Antidepressants and Suicide

Questions about a study claiming antidepressants do not cause suicide.

Today's Antidepressants: Some Sad Facts

Not all that effective.

Depressed?
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Depression Blogs

  • Russ Federman, Ph.D., ABPP

    Bipolar You

    The young adult's guide to bipolar depression.
    By Russ Federman, Ph.D.
  • Jonathan Rottenberg, PhD

    Charting the Depths

    Reflections on the science of depression.
    By Jonathan Rottenberg, Ph.D.

  • Depression Management Techniques

    Understanding how your brain makes you depressed and what you can do to change it.
    By Margaret Wehrenberg, Psy.D.

  • Focus on Forgiveness

    Forgiveness and its connection to anxiety, depression, and overall health and happiness.
    By Matthew B. James, Ph.D.

  • Generation Meds

    How antidepressants cheered us up, let us down, and changed who we are.
    By Katherine Sharpe
  • Julie Hersh

    Struck By Living

    Coping with depression and living life to the fullest.
    By Julie Hersh
  • Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW

    This Isn't What I Expected

    Notes on healing postpartum depression.
    By Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW

SSRIs Tests

Bipolar Depression Quiz

Are your emotional highs and lows normal?

Depression

Are you suffering from depression?

More Tests

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